Twenty-seven people, including 18 children, have been killed in a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in suburban Connecticut, according to Associated Press.
The report cites an official with knowledge of the situation.
The toll was far larger than earlier reports.
PHOTOS: Shooting at Connecticut elementary school
Other media reported different numbers but all agreed that the toll was around two dozen dead with others injured.
More details are expected at an upcoming news conference.
Newtown, Conn., Mayor Mark D. Boughton told reporters that those killed in the Friday morning assault included the shooter.
The Hartford Courant has reported that children may be among the dead, although police have not confirmed any numbers at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
In an interview with Fox News, Boughton spoke of the "multiple fatalities" at the school in Fairfield County in the western part of the state.
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Boughton would not identify the victims or the circumstances under which they died.
But other officials have confirmed at least one of the dead was the shooter, an adult. Other dead are believed to include at least one student at the elementary school.
At least three wounded have been taken to a hospital in Danbury, the mayor confirmed.
“I can’t discuss who they are but some injuries are serious,” Boughton said.
He refused to discuss the dead pending a 1 p.m. EST news conference by police.
“There is still a sweep going on,” he said of police efforts. “I’m sorry I can’t go into the details.”
In a statement posted on its website, Danbury Hospital said: “To date, three patients have been transported to Danbury Hospital from the scene.
"Out of abundance of caution and not because of any direct threat our building is under lockdown. This allows us simply to focus on the important work at hand,” the hospital stated.
Officials were still investigating the incident, which began at about 9:40 a.m. EST at the school in Newtown, a town of about 27,000 people.
Within hours, officials were reporting that the gunman was found dead and two handguns were recovered at the scene.
Stephen Delgiadice told reporters that his 8-year-old daughter heard two big bangs and teachers told her to get in a corner. His daughter was fine.
“It's alarming, especially in Newtown, Conn., which we always thought was the safest place in America,” he said.
The superintendent's office said the district had locked down schools in Newtown, about 60 miles from New York City. Nearby schools also were locked down as a security measure.
michael.muskal@latimes.com
Connecticut school shooting: 18 children among 27 dead
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Connecticut school shooting: 18 children among 27 dead
